Oh, the Beautiful Things We Miss
Often I blog about making moments count. There’s a Latin phrase for it: Carpe Momentum which means “Seize the Moment”. I’m thrilled to be alive HERE on planet earth today in this generation. Even though I live in a 60+ community, I meander away from those who think “old”. I love hanging with those who live in the moment and in that moment, they find so much to be grateful and joyful about.
This is my own definition of a MOMENT: “an instant, that almost imperceptible amount of time that barely registers measurement, but when being present and given full thought and attention to it, miracles can happen, inventions and innovations can be created, lives are transformed and heaven touches earth — because the MOMENT was noticed.” – Donna Wuerch
The older I get the more I understand the importance and value of seizing the moment. I remember a season of major challenges and life-altering decisions that needed to be made. But rather than sitting around worrying, my husband and I spontaneously decided to take a trip to Branson, Missouri on November 1st – the first day of Christmas at Silver Dollar City. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made. It was not only therapeutic to get-away-from-it-all, but it refreshed us and took our perspective and attitudes to a whole new place.
When I placed this figurine on my kitchen counter this Christmas, I couldn’t help but remember that weekend, because underneath the items we purchased (as a keepsake of times of sweetness) I would always write the occasion and the date on the bottom. We seized the moment that weekend.
Seizing the moment is engaging in intentional thinking. At church, when the minister is speaking, it’s easy for our minds to wander. We might even momentarily doze off (speaking from experience – gasp!). And all the while, the minister may have given wisdom for the answer we needed to help us get out of our difficult situation. It helps me to stay alert when I take notes at church or a meeting. I want my time to be worthwhile and I want to give honor to the speaker’s valuable time that he/she spent preparing.
Yesterday, I heard Matthew West’s song, “Oh, the Beautiful Things We Miss” from an audiobook I was listening to as I worked out. Before I left for the fitness room, I had been writing this blog. Aw! A moment I didn’t miss. How’s that for a momentary aha? A “seize the moment” moment! Here are some of those lyrics and link if you’d like to hear the entire song: https://youtu.be/4_m0BBQSd34
I don’t wanna’ miss it
I don’t wanna’ look back someday and find
Everything that really mattered
Was right in front of me this whole time
Open up my eyes, Lord
Keep me in the moment just like this
Before the beautiful things we love
Become the beautiful things we miss
Open up my eyes, Lord
Open up my eyes, Lord
I don’t want to miss it
No, I don’t want to miss it
Open up my eyes, Lord
Open up my eyes, Lord
Before the beautiful things I love
Become the beautiful things I miss.
I seized the moment a couple of days ago. I was in my place and heard all kinds of laughter and cheers coming from the breezeway near my apartment. A rousing game of Ping Pong was underway. I had a choice — to stay at home and get some needed things done or to join them. I chose to join them. I’m glad I did. I proved to myself I still had game when I made some pretty good shots. Most important, however, as I watched others play, I sat by a friend who was going through “stuff”. It was a “seize the moment” when I could encourage that one. I seized the moment and now I am living in the “no regrets” zone. How about seizing your moments today so that you, too, live with no regrets? Don’t miss life’s beautiful things!